Wilcoxson Files Legislation Banning Pawn Shops/Payday Lenders from Lottery Sales

State Senator Kathleen Wilcoxson has filed legislation banning the sale of lottery tickets at pawn shops, payday lenders and check-cashing businesses. Wilcoxson, R-Oklahoma City, said the measure would ensure the rules adopted by the Lottery Commission blocking such sales will not be reversed.

“It is important to remember that last fall the Lottery Commission approved such sales. Only after tremendous public outcry did the commissioners back down. My concern is if the lottery fails to raise the amount of money projected, the commission may reverse itself yet again in an attempt to sell more tickets,” said Wilcoxson. “That’s why we need to get the rule banning such sales placed in our statutes. Senate Bill 1089 will do that.”

Wilcoxson said she had been alarmed when the Commission had initially voted to allow the sale of lottery tickets at pawn shops and payday lenders.

“I think even Oklahomans who supported the lottery are appalled by the idea of preying on the state’s poorest and most desperate citizens. Taking advantage of the poor is morally reprehensible,” said Wilcoxson. “Yet the Lottery Commission initially showed it had no problem doing just that. The rules could be changed again. Putting the ban into law would keep that from happening.”